Signaling mechanism



1927. Feb 8 N. H. SUREN SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 7. 1920 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 HIRE ALARM INVENTOR Nazhan H. Suren 6 M- ATTORNEY Fig.3

1,616,879 1927' N. H. SUREN SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 7, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR /Va zhan H. S-uran ATTORNEY Feb. '8, 1927.

v N. H. SUREN SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed D'e c '7 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

INVENTOR IVazlzan H, Suren I BY I ATTORNEY- Patented Feb. 8, 1927.

UNITED "STATES I PATENT; OFFICE.

NATHAN H. SUREN, or NEEDHAM, massacnosn'rrs, ASSIGNOR, BY mnsnn Assault-- MENTS, TO THE GAMEWELL COMPANY, or NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A con- PORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

SIGNALING MECHANISM.

Application filed December 7, 1920. Serial No. 428,952.

This invention relates to signaling mechanism comprising mechanically operable electrically controlled circuit changing mechanism and more particularly to such mechan nisms as are suited foruse in auxiliary fire alarm signal initiating stations.

An object ofthis invention is to provide a signaling mechanism adapted to be set by a slow moving part to suitably actuate 10 contacts forming part of a signaling circuit current path, and to maintain such contacts in said actuated condition for a predetermined brief period, and thereupon restore such contacts to their original con- '-1 dition.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism of the character -described which is so responsive to current flow inthe signaling circuit controlled there- 2Q by that, should such device actuate said signaling circuit contacts at a time when there is no current flow in such signaling circuit, said contacts will be maintained in said actuated condition until the expiration 2 of such a predetermned brief period subse quent to the commencement of the next succeeding current flow in said circuit.

A further object is to provide, in such a mechanism, means whereby,-when such mechanism has been set to effect the actuation of the signaling contacts controlled thcreby,said mechanism will be rendered unresponsive to further attempts to so set same until thereafter manually released or reset.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism having a renewable frangible panel normally preventing access to a man ually operable member thereof, in which the renewal of said frangible panel can not be effected without releasing. or resetting such mechanism; to the end that said mechanism'will at all times be in operative condition when the frangible panel thereof is intact.

Other objects are to provide such a' mechanism which is durable, positive and reliable in action, inexpensive to manufacture .and-

maintain, and which is operable in a simple and obvious manner.

Still other objects together with than inherent advantages will be in part obvious ous features of this invention, an embodi-- ment thereof is shown by the annexed drawlugs and hereinafter more fully described, which embodiment is particularly suited for use in connection with fire alarm systems such as that shown by' my copending ap plication filed April 4th, 1919, Serial No. 287,502,. Patent No. 1,503,439, issued July 29th, 1924, and by my copending application Serial No. 483,222 filed concurrently herewith.

Similar reference characters denote like parts throughout the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a front elevation of the exterior of a fire alarm station embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with portions broken away and shown in section to disclose interior parts of the fire alarm station of Fig. l; t

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view to be referred to; 1

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of certain of the parts shown by Fig. 3 and taken along the line 4-4 thereof;

-Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the signal initiating device of the fire alarm station of Fig. 1, the various parts being shown in their respective normal positions, certain of the parts being broken away to more clearly disclose the operating mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of certain of the parts of Fig. 5 shown during the first operative step thereof;

Fig. 7 shows the parts of Fig. 6 at the second operative step thereof; I

Fig. 8 shows the parts of Fig. 6 at the third operative step thereof;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are fragmentary views to be referred to;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the cover shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the chamber housing and its clamping nut shown in detached relation thereto;

Fig. 13 is a sectional plan view of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 2, taken on line 1313;-- x Fig. 14 is a frontelevation partly in sec tion, showin the application of certain of the arts of igs. 1 to 13 in an embodiment of t is invention adapted for Operation by a change in liquid level or pressure; F'g. 15 is a front elevation of an embodiment of this invention adapted for operation by a thermostatically controlled device, but otherwise similar to Fig. 14; and Fig. 16 is a sectional view of certain of the parts of Fig. 15, taken on line 1616.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2; the box or case 21 is provided for containing the signal m1- tiatin g device hereinafter described, and lugs i 22 and 23 are provided at the top and bottom of said case for the purpose of facilitating connection thereto of conduit pipes for leading circuit conductors to the signal m1- tiating device contained therein, and :the front opening of said case has the annular flange 24 forsupporting a suitable door or cover.

The cover 25 is fitted into the front open ing of the case 21 to rest. against the flange 24. A stationary lug 26 and a latch bolt 27 are carried by the cover 25 to engage the flange 24 for the purpose of securing said cover in position over the opening of the front of the case 21.

An opening 28 is provided through the cover 25 to afford access to the operating handle 29 of a si nal initiating device which will be hereinafter more fully described. The rear side of the cover 25 is recessed as indicated at 30 along the top and side edges ofthe opening 28 for receiving a suitable frangible panel 31.

A rearwardly extending ledge 32 is carried by the cover 25, which ledge is disposed substantially parallel to and situated somewhat above the upper edge of the opening 28 and is of such length and width as to be suited to form the upper wall of a chamber for the operating handle 29.

The latch bolt 27 is arranged to slide through the ledge 32 and the guide 33 and caries a crossbar 34 which moves between said guide 33 and the abutment 35 and thereb serves to limit the travel of said bolt. he spring 36 is applied between the ledge 32 and the crossbar 34 so as to constantly urge the bolt 27 for movement thereof in the direction of the flange 24.

The rear side of the upper end of the bolt 27 is beveled so that said bolt 27 may be forced out of the path of the flange 24 by engagement therewith during the application of the cover 25 to the case 21, and the ends of the crossbar 34 extend from the opposite sidesof the bolt 27 and engage identical guide faces, one of which is shown at 37. so that said bolt cannot so rotate as to.

bring the beveled upper end thereof in unintended relation with the flange 24. In order that the fastening means which comprises the bolt 27 shall beoperable to permit unfastening thereof and so positioned that when the cover 25 is fastened in the case 21 and a frangible panel 31 is secured in the-opening 28 therein, saidcover cannot be unfastened without first breaking such paheh-a knob 38 is provided at the lower end of the said bolt which knob is so positioned that access thereto is normally obstructed by the panel 31, and so that, when said panel is not in position, said knob.will be readily accessible through the opening 28.

Pins, such as the pin 39, project from the ends of theledge 32 and form pivots around which may swing the side walls and 41 of a frangible panel holding frame or housing.

The side walls 40 and 41 are connected at the lower endsthereof by the base wall 42, and said walls form the side and base walls of a chamber for the operating handle 29. The upper ends of the walls 40 and 41 have slots formed therein to receive the pins 39, (see Fig. 12), and the wall 42 carries an ear 43 to receive the stud 44, which stud projects rearwardly from the cover 25. The nut 45 is threaded on the stud 44 for the purpose of clamping the ear 43 against the rear side of the cover 25. The front edges of the walls 40 and 41 overlap the recess which is formed along the sides of the opening 28, and thus serve to retain the frangible panel 31 therein.

The plate 46 is secured to the frame bar 47 by means of the screws 48, 48; said bar 47 being a part of the supporting frame of the signal initiating device, as shown by Figs. 5, 11 and 13. The central portion of the bar 47 is shown broken away in Figs. 5 and 11 to better disclose the mechanism which it overlies. When the cover 25 is so cured to the case 21 in its intended position, the plate 46 forms the rear wall of the enamber for the operating handle 29, an opening being provided through said plate through which the handle-supporting shaft 49 projects into such chamber.

A pin 50 is carried by the outer side of the wall 40, which pin projects adjacent to the under side of the post 51 behind the enlarged head 52 carried at the outer end of said post, so that the movement of said pin 50 incident to placing the cover in position upon'or removal thereof from the case 21 will cause said pin to engage said head so as to suitably raise-the post 51 for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The shaft 49 has a bearing in the bar 47 immediately behind the ,plate 46, and the shaft 49 near the rear side of the bar 47, being spaced therefrom by the Washer 55, and the sleeve 561is loosely mounted upon the shaft 49 and carries the channelfiange 57. (See Figs. 4 and. 9.) v v The spiral spring 58 encloses the sleeve 56, one end of said spring being secured to the hub of the disc 54 and the other end of said spring being secured tothe flange 57, so that energy imparted to the shaft 49 and i the disc 54 may be transmitted, through'said spring 58,.to the flange 57 The drum 5,9 is 1 mounted on the sleeve 56 bymeans of the.

' posts 60 and 61, the ends of'which posts rest line of movement so as to permit said cam against the front. side of the flange 57, said drum being secured to said flange by means of attaching screws 62 passing through the flange and into said posts, as shown by dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 9. One end of the drum 59 is of enlarged diameter and has escapement teeth 63 for-med in the periph-' cry. thereof, and the other end of saiddrum carries the cam faces 65. In the interests of clearness, the cam portion of the drum' 59 is shown independently of said'drum in Figs.

6, 7 and 8; and the portions of said faces which extend behind the disc 54 are indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5.

The channel of the flange 57 extends transversely to the axis of the shaft 49 in the rear side of said flange, and said channel is of such width and depth as to receive the detent plate 66 for free movement lengthwise of said channel. A'cam 67 issecured to the shaft 49 within an opening inthe detent plate 66, which opening is of such width, (measured along the line of movement of such plate along the channel in the flange 57) as to permit said cam to rotate freely within said opening; and said opening is elongated transversely to said to swing to one side of the center ofrotation thereof transversely to the channel in the flange 57 incidentally to movement of said cam such aswill impart movement to the detent plate 66 lengthwise of said channel. I

A toothed member 68 is secured to the rear plate 53, immediately behind the detent plate 66, the teeth of said member being so formed that a lug 69 carried by the. rear side of said plate may be moved into and out of engagement with the radial faces of the teeth of said member by the rotation of the cam 67. (See Fig. 10.) v

It should be noted that Fig. 9 is a rear view of the drum 59, showing the escapement teeth- 63, and showing the flange 57, the plate 66 and the cam 67 in position thereon; while Fig. 10 is a front view of the plate 66, and the member 68; the lug 69 and obscured portions of said member being indicated by dotted lines therein.

In order to suitably limit the extent of shown 1n Figs. 5 and 11, one side of ea'ch of said-projections is arranged for cooperation with the freevend of the latch 70 and the other side of each of said projections is arranged for. cooperation with the free end of the ratchet dog 71. The sides of the proections which are arranged for engagement by the latch 70 will be hereinafter referred to as the advancing faces thereof, and the sides of said projections which are arranged for engagement by the dog 71 will be hereinafter referred to as receding faces.

The latch 70 is pivoted on the screw 79., which screw is secured to a stepped face of the frame bar 47, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 11. A slot 7 i is formed in the pivoted endv of the latch 70, so that said latch may movesubstantially lengthwise thereof in addition to swingmg'around h said pivot screw (2; the lengtl rwise lIlOVGlIlGIlt Of said latch 7 0 is limited by the end 74 of the slot,

73 (see Fig. 5) and by the pin 75 which closes the other end of'said slot. A spring 76 is so applied tothe latch 70 as to tendto swing the free end of said latch into engagement with the periphery of the disc 54, andso as to tend to slide said latch lengthwise 1n the opposite direction jo that of the movement imparted thereto by the engagement of projections 77 of the disc 54 with the free end thereof. 7

From the foregoing it willbe seen that the cooperation between the latch 70 and the disc 54 is such that, when the said disc is rotated in a clockwise direction until the advancing face ofonc of the projections 77 thereof is brought against the free end of said latch 7 0, said latch will be moved subf stantially lengthwise thereof until the end 74 of the slot 7 3 is brought against the screw 72, whereupon the rotation of the disc 54 willbe arrested; and that if the disc 54 is then held stationary and the free end of the latch 70. is swung out of engagement with said disc, said latch will be moved by the spring 7 6 so that the free end of said latch will extend over the projection 77. Said latch may then be released and the free end thereof will rest upon said projection, so that the disc 54 may be again moved until the advancing face of the next projection 77 correspondingly engages and moves the latch 70. Y

In order to prevent reverse movement of. the, handle 29 and the disc 54, after such rotation thereof as to cause-engagement and movement of the latch 70, as just described. ratchet mechanism is provided which comthereto as to tend to swing the free end of said pawl into the path ofthe projections 77; said dog 71 being of such length that,

when the advancing face of one of the pro- 5 jections 77 has engaged the free end of the latch 70 and so moved said latch as to bring the end 74 of the slot 7 3 against the screw 72, said projection 77 will be withdrawn from the path of the dog71 and the free end of said dog will be moved into the path of the receding face of said projection so as to prevent reverse movement thereof. Y

The post 51 is secured to the latch70 between the free end thereof and the pivot 72, so that whenever said post is raised by the pin 50, (as hereinbefore described) the free end ofsaid latch will be withdrawn from the path of the projections 77.

A bell-crank lever 80 is pivoted at 81 and is mounted in such relation to the cam faces 65 that the shoulder 82 carried by said lever may suitably engage said faces. Said shoulder is so positioned with relation to such faces that when the handle 29 and disc 54 are rotated an angular distance corresponding to that between the advancing faces of adjacent projections 7 7, the horizontal member of the lever 80 will be elevated by one of the cam faces 65 and said cam face will 30 thereupon be withdrawn from the path of the shoulder 82. 7

An escapement pallet 83 (see Fig. 5) is mounted upon a suitable pivot in position to suitably engage the escapement teeth '63 so as to form a governor for regulating the speed of rotation of said teeth and the parts movable therewith.

The separately insulated resilient signalmg contacts 84, 85 and 86 are carried by the insulating block 87, the contact 85 being mounted between the contacts 84 and 86, and the free end of said contact 85 extends beyond the ends of the contacts 84 and 86 into the path of the insulating spacer 88 carried by the downwardly extending memberof the bell-crank lever 80. Said contact 85 is so formed that the tension thereof con stantly urges it into engagement with the contact 86, and the length of the spacer 88 is such that when the horizontal member of the bell-crank lever 80 is lifted by one of the cam faces 65 said spacer will move the contact 85 away from the contact 86 and against the contact 84, and so that when the shoulder 82 is resting upon a depressed vportion of the cam faces 65 (see Figs. 5 and 6) the contact 85 will be permitted to move into engagement with the contact 86.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the handle 29, shaft 49, and the parts numbered 54 to 88 inclusive. provide a signal initiating device having a definite cycle of action and responsive to a manually operable member thereof. It will also be seen that the signaling contact 84, and 86 are constantly urged to assume a predetermined relation-- ship and are responsive to the actuation of an operating member (the drum 59 carrying the cam face 65) of said signal initiating device to momentarily revise the relationship of said contacts during the actuation of such operating member.

Such operating member and the parts cooperating therewith, are arranged to serve as quick acting mechanism for momentarily causing a revision of the relationship of said contacts.

Although the manually operable handle 29 is shown in the accompanying drawings and hereinbefore described, it should be understood that a member correspondingly operable by other means might be substituted therefor, as, for example, a member operable thermostatically or by liquid level or pressure. In any event, actuating mechanism is provided comprising a setting memher and operating mechanism movable thereby for suitably actuating said contacts.

Fig. 14 illustrates an embodiment of this invention in which a ratchet wheel 101, ar- 90 ranged so as to be operable by liquid level or pressure, is substituted for the handle 29 of Figs. 1 to 8 and Fig. 11. The operation of said ratchet wheel is accomplished by means of the lever 102, which is pivoted at 103 to plate 104, and carries a pawl 105 arranged for suitably engaging said ratchet wheel. The cylinder 106 is secured to the case 21, and is arranged for connection of a source of fluid pressure thereto. A pis- 'ton 107 is mounted in the cylinder 106 to be moved by the fluid pressure therein, and said piston is connected to the lever 102 by means of the link 108 so that when said piston 107 is raised by fluid pressure within said cylinder, the movement thereof will cause lever 102 to swing in a clockwise direction around the pivot 103 so that the pawl 105 will impart suitable rotary movement to the ratchet wheel 101,

. Fig. 15 illustrates an embodiment of this invention in which a ratchet wheel 101, arranged for responsiveness to a thermostatically controlled device, is substituted for the handle 29. A weight 109 suspended by a 11 fusible link 110 from the underside of the case 21" is so connected by a cord or wire 111 to the lever 102, thatupon the fusing of said link, the weight 109 will be permitted to drop, and will thereupon act 20 through the cord or wire .111 to move lever 102 in a clockwise direction around its pivot 103 until it strikes the stop 112, thus causing the pawl 105 to rotate the ratchet wheel 101. Inasmuch as such operation of said ratchet wheel will be quickly accomplished, the cam faces 65 and the ratchet wheel or operable member 101 are fixed upon the shaft 49, so as to move to-' gether (as shown by Fig. 16) without the use of the storage device and quick acting mechanism (comprising spring 58, escapement teeth 63 and pal et 83) and the detent mechanism (comprising the flange 57, plate 66, cam 67 and member 68).

In'embodiments of this inventlon such as 'those shown by Figs. 14 and 15, substltutlon may be made for the cover 25 shown by Figs. ,1, 2, 12 and 13, by the use of a cover such as shown by Fig. 14; which cover 25' is not provided with a frang1ble panel and associated parts such as form part of the cover 25. The cover 25 is hlngedto the case 21 at 113, and is provided wltn a projection 114 for suitably engaging the enlarged head of the pin 51, carried by the latch 70, so that when said cover is removed from or replaced upon the case 21, sanl projection 114 will cause the latch 70 to be so raised as to unlock the setting member (as hereinbefore more fully described). Means, such as the lock 115, may be provid d for securing the cover 25 in position upon the case 21. c

In order that a setting member adapted for rapid or slow operation thereof (such as the manually operable handle 29) may assure uniformly quick action of such operating mechanism as the drum 59, the cam faces thereof and the shoulder 82 op erable thereby, a storage device is provided comprising the spring 56, shown in Fig 4, for imparting to said operating mechanism the actuating energy imparted to said device by said setting member.

Magnetically controlled mechanism is provided for progressively governing the restoration of the signaling contacts 84, 85 and 86 from the abnormal or altered relationship imparted thereto incident to the totation of the cam faces 65 to the normal relationship thereof. Such magnetically controlled mechanism comprises the electromagnet 89, the armature 90 pivoted at 91 and having the retractile sprlng 92 therefor; and a step by step, escapement controlled hy said armature and governing such return movement of said bell-crank lever 80. Said step by step escapement comprises the upwardly projecting spear-head 93 carried by the free end of the horizontal member of the bell-crank lever 80 and the ledges 94 and 95 carried by the armature for engagement therewith; a stop post 96 being provided for limiting the extent of the travel of the armature 90 away from the pole of the magnet 89. The ledge '94 is so positioned that, when the horizontal member of the bell-crank lever 80 has been lifted by one of the cam faces 65, said ledge :may engage one side -of the spear-head 93 and thereby prevent such movement of said lever as would permit the contact 85 to move away from the contact 84. The ledge 95 is so positioned that when the ledge 94 has been withdrawn from the path of'the spear-head 93 the bell-crank lever 80 will be permitted to move far enough in response to gravity and to the tension of the contact 85 applied through the spacer 88 to the downwardly'extending portion of said lever as to allow said-contact to move away from thecontact 84, whereupon the ledge 95 will so engage the other side of the spear-head'93 as to prevent such further movement of said lever 80 as would permit the contact] 85 to move into en agement with the contact 86; thus establishing a third or intermediaterelationship of said contacts.

Conductors such as 97 and 98 of a suitable signaling circuit may be connected to the contacts 85 and 86, respectively, and conductors 99 and 100 connect the ends of the windings of the electromagnet 89 to the contacts 84 and 86 respectively. From the foregoing it will be seen that a current athis normally provided between the con uctors 97 and 98 and that a normally open branch current path is provided through the conductor 99, the winding of the electromagnet 89 and the conductor 100 to the contact 84. It will be further seen that, in response to the actuation of the bell-crank lever 80, such normally closed path will be broken and the normally open branch current path will be closed between the contacts 84 and 85.

The number and arrangement of the signaling circuit contacts may be varied to suit the needs of various types of signaling circuits, the arrangement shown and hereinbefore de:cribed being particularly suited for use in'connection with fire alarm systems such as that shown by my copending applications h'ereinbefore referred to.

The operation of the signaling mechanism shown by the accompanying drawings and hereinbefore described is as follows:

When the parts are in normal position, the cover 25 and frangible panel 31 serve as a guard for protecting the manually operable member 29 from unauthorized actuation; the disc 54 is positioned as shown in Figs. 5 and 11, one of the receding radial faces of a projection 77 of said disc being engaged. by the dog 71 so as to prevent counterclock wise movement of said disc; the free end of the latch 70 rests upon the top of the pro-. jection 77, (as shown in Fig. 5) the left-hand or receding radial face of which is engaged by the dog 71 the bell-crank lever 80 is positioned as shown in Fi 5, and the contact 85 therefore rests against the contact 86; the lug 69 engages one of. the radial faces of the member 68 (as shown by Fig. 10);

and theenergy-storage spring 58 is under some tension, which tension is ur ing rotation of the disc, 54,' shaft 49 and andle 29 in counterclockwise. direction (such rotation being restrained by the dog 71) and is ur ing rotation of the channel flange 57 m clockwise direction, which rotation is restrained by the engagement'of the lug 69 (carried by the plate 66 within the channel of said flange) with a tooth of the member 68.

If the frangible panel 31 is broken, as by a blow from a glass-breaking hammer such as is ordinarily provided for use with a signal initiating station such as that shown in Fig. 1, thefragments of said panel will slide out of the chamber containing the bandle 29, as the lower wall of said chamber is devoid of any projection or depression such as would tend to retain such fragments, and the base wall 42 and the forwardly inclined portion of the plate 46 are arranged at such an angle as to tend to cause frangible panel fragments resting thereupon to slide outwardly. 4 7

After breaking the frangible panel, as just described, access is afforded to the handle 29. If it is desired to transmit a signal I through the ciicuit connected to'the signal initiating device by the conductors 97 and 98, the handle 29 should be grasped and rotated as far as it will go in a clockwise direction. During such rotation of the handle 29, additional tension will be imparted to the spring 58, by tending to unwind or expand same, and the rotation of the cam 67 will gradually move the lug 69 out of the 'path of the teeth ofv the member 68. When the rotation of the handle 29 has continued for substantially one-quartcr of a revolution thereof, the advancing face of one of the projections 77 will engage the free end ofthe latch 70 and move said latch substantially lengthwise thereof, until the end 74 of the slot 73 engages the screw 72, thereby arresting the rotation of the disc 54 and the handle 29. During movement of the latch 70 by oneof the projections 77. as just described, such projection will withdraw from the path of the free end of the dog 71, and said dog will thereupon be moved by the spring 79 so as to prevent reverse or counterclockwise movement of the disc 54 and handle 29; such action of the dog 71 taking place before the latch 70 has been so moved as to bring the end 74 of the slot 7?, against the screw 7 During rotation of the disc 54: between the point at which a projection 77 is withdrawn from the path of the dog 71 and the termination of the movement thereof, as just doscribed,-the cam 67 will move the plate 66 so as to carry the lug 69 out of the path of the teeth of the member 68, the flange 57 and parts moving therewith will thereupon be rotated in aclockwise direction for sub- When the contact 85 is in its intermediate 125 stantially one-quarter of a revolution thereof by the energv stored in the spring 58,

During such movement, the cam 67 will be 57, as just described, the cam faces 65 will move substantially onequarter of a revolutron, thereby causing one of said faces to engage the shoulder'82 of the bell-crank lever 80 so as to raise said lever to the position shown in Fig. 6, whereupon the continued rotation of said flange and the parts movmg therewith will withdraw such one of the faces65 from the path of the shoulder 82, as shown'by Figs. 7,8 and 5. 7

During the upward-movement'of the hori zontal member of the helLcrank lever 80, as

just described, the spear-head 93 thereof will engage the ledge 94and move the armature 90 towa rdthe electromagnet 89, and,

at the conclusion of such movement of the lever 80, such spear-head will be raised sufficiently above the ledge 94-to permitvmovcmentthereof in response to the tension of the spring 92'to retain the lever 80 in its elevated position. a

When the horizontal member of the bell crank lever 80 is raised, as just described, the spacer 88 will move the contacti away from the contact 86 and into engagement with the contact 84, thus including the winding of the electromagnet' 89 in the current path between the signaling circuit conductors 97 and 98. r

If, when' the electromagnet windings are thus included in the signaling circuit current pathythere is sufficient current flow there-through to cause effective energization of said magnet. the armature 90 will be moved to attracted position, against the tension of the spring 92. thus withdrawing the ledge 94 fromthe path of the spear-head 93. and will carry the ledge 95 into the path of the said spear-head. The lever 80 will thereupon move to the position shown in Fig. 8, where its further movement will be arrested by engagement of the spear-head 93 with the ledge 95.

Then the lever 80 moves to the position shown in Fig. 8. as just described. the spacer position, as just described, the branch current path through the winding of the elecand the speed of such revolution will be tromagnet 89 is interrupted, and the current governed by the engagement of the escapement pallet 83 with the, escapement teeth 63- terru ted. Very soon after such current flow flow between the conductors 97 and 98 is inhereinbefore described, there is no current.

. sation. will be varied so as to alter the dura is interrupted, as just described, the magnet 89 will be deenergized and W111 permit the spring 92 to swing the armature 90 away ledge 95 from the path of the spear-head 93, and will thus permit the lever to movev from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in Fig. 5:- thereby withdrawmg the spacer 88 so as to permit the contact to iove into enga ement with the contact 86 and thus reesta lish the normal connection between the signaling circuit conductors 97 and 98.

If, when the horizontal portion of the lever 80 is raised by one of the faces 65, as

flow in the signaling circuit of which conductors 97 and 98 form parts, or if the current flow therein is insufiicient to cause effective energization of electromagnet 89, 1t is evident thatsaid lever 80 will be maintained in its operated or elevated position by the engagement of the ledge 94 with the spearhead 93 (as shown by Fig. 7) until such time as adequate current flow is established through the winding of said electromagnet, whereupon the armature will be moved to its attracted position, and the functioning of the various parts will proceed as hereinhefore more fully described. 8

It will be evident that,should the characteristics of the electromagnet 89 be varied, by the employment of expedients well understood by those skilled in this art, the period which will elapse between the cessation of current flow therethrough (as caused by movement of the contact 85 away from the contact 84) and the retractive movement of the armature 90 resulting from such cestion of the period during which the contact 85 will occupy its intermediate position, as shown by Fig. 8. It is also evident that similar variation in the characteristics of said magnet will correspondingly alter the duration of the period which will elapse between the commencement of the application of energizing current thereto and the responsive movement of the armature 90; thus determining the period during which the winding of said'magnet will be included in the current path between the conductors 97 and 98 while the current flow therein is suflicient to cause effective energization of said magnet.

If it is desired that current responsive devices of the signaling circuit comprising the conductors 97 and 98'shall be responsive to the inclusion of the winding of'said magnet in the current path between said conductors, said winding should be of comparatively high resistance. In any event, it will be apparent from the foregoing that three distinct operative conditions are established bythe signal initiating device described, i. e. the normal condition in which a direct, low resistance, current path is established be-- tween the conductors 97 and 98 through the contacts 85 and 86; (2) an operated condition in which a comparatively high resistance current path is established from the" conductor 97, through the contacts 85 and 84, the condlictor 100, the winding of the elec-' tromagnet- 89, the conductor 99 to the conductor 98; and (3) an intermediate condition in which the contact 85 is in its intermediate position, and current flow between theconductors 97 and 98 is therefore completely interrupted.

It is also evident that such circuit changes may be utilized for causing ultimate response of devices of a si aling circuit comprising the conductors 9 and 98, even if such circuit is disabled, or for any reason deenergized, at the time when" the handle 29 is actuated; as the windings ofthe electromagnet 89 will, after any such actuation remain connected in the current path between I the conductors 97 and 98 until not less than a predetermined degree of energizati'on has been applied to said magnet for a period suflicient to causemovement of the armature in response thereto and the resultant movement of. the lever 80; and, after such. current flow has been maintained for a suitable period, 'the current path between the conductors 97 and 98 will be interrupted for the desired period, regardless of the period 100 which may have elapsed between the actuation of the handle 29 and the occasion when a suitable current flow occurs in the conductors 97 and 98. I

After actuation of the signal initiating device, as hereinbefore described, one of the projections 77 of the disc 54 will be held between the latch 70 and the dog 71, as shown by Fig. 11, so as to revent rotation of the a handle 29 in either Whenit is desired to restore the signaling mechanlsm to its normal condition after the utlhzatlon thereof as herelnbefore described,

-the knob 38 should be grasped, reaching through the opening 28, (through which access to said knob was secured upon breaking the frangible/panel 31, as hereinbefore described.) and said knob should be pulled downwardly so as to withdraw the upper end of the latch bolt 27 from the portion of the flange 24 engaged thereby, whereupon the upper edge of the cover 25 may be. swung outwardly and said cover may then he lil'ta ed so as to withdraw the lug 26 from enso Y irection; unauthorized 110 repetitions of the signal are thus prevented.

7 post 51 and so raise said post as to lift the free end of the 1atch70 out of the path of the projection 77 of the disc 54, and the spring 76 will thereupon move said latch substantially len thwise thereof toward'the dog 71 until said -movement ofsaid latch is arrested when the pinv 75 is brought against the side of the screw 72. As soon as the pin 50 is withdrawn from the path of the post 51, the spring .76 -willswi'ng the end of the latch70 against the top of the projection 77; thus leaving the parts in con ition for operation while the cover 25 is removed as, for example, for the purpose of testing said mechanism.

After the cover 25 has been removed, as just described, the nut should be removed from the stud 44, and the removable part comprising the side walls 40 and 41 and the base wall 42-should .be swung around its fulcrum on the pins 39 (andlremoved, if desired). so as to permit a new frangible panel to be placed in position in the recess 30 provided therefor. After such a panel has been so placed in position, said member should be swung around its fulcrum pins 39 so as to bring the walls thereof against the sides of said panel, and so as to bring the ear 43 in position around the stud 44, whereupon the nut 45 should be replaced upon said stud so as to firmly clamp saidear against the rear side of the cover 25. The lower edge of the cover 25 may now be placed in position, so as to permit the lug 26 to engage the intended portion of the -flange 24, and the upper edge of said cover should then be swung to its normal position. Just before the upper edge of the cover 25 reaches its normal position during the movement thereof just referred to,the latch bolt 27 will be forced downwardly'by the engagement of the beveled end thereof with the outer face of the flange 24, and will pass beneath said flange so that, when the cover 25 is seated against the'outer side of said flange 24, the spring 36 will shoot said bolt upwardly behind said flange and thereby lock said cover in position.

lVhilc the cover 25 is being replaced in position upon the case. 21, as just described,

the pin will again engage the enlarged head 52 of the post 51 and thereby again disengage the free end of the latch 70 from the disc 54, so that it the signal initiating device was actuated while the cover 25 was removed from the case 21, the handle 29 will nevertheless be unlocked for further actuation when said cover is replaced upon said case, to the end that theoperability of said mechanism will at all times be assured when the cover 25 is in position and carries therein an intact frangible panel 31.

Should arrangements be made whereby the movement imparted to the handle 29 (or to any other setting member employed in lieu thereof) will-be at the speed or rate of movement which should be imparted to the cam faces (as, for example, the arrangement shown Figs. 14 and 15 and hereinbefore describedvin greater detail) the storage device and quick-acting mechanism -(comprising the spring 58 escapement teeth 63 and pallet 83) and the detent-mechanism (comprising the flange 57, plate 66, cam 67 and member 68) may be omitted (as shown by Fig. 16) the cam faces 65 being moved, in such an event, directly with the shaft 4-9.

If extraneous means are provided for sufiiciently governing the extent and dlrection of the actuating movementimparted to the shaft 89 the disc 54, the latch 70 and the dog 71 may be omitted (as shown by Figs. .15 and 16).

When, the signal initiating devices are employed under circumstances which do not necessitate the guarding of the operating member thereof from unauthorized manipulation, the uard comprising the cover 25 and frangibe panel'31 and parts associated therewith may be suitably modified or, in some instances, dispensed with. 1

When the operating conditions 'of the signaling circuitare such that a temporary interruption or preoccupation thereof by other signals is unlikely or inconsequential,

the electromagnet and escapement 'mecha- .nism controlled thereby may be suitably modified and, in some instances, completely dispensed with. v 1

' Other rearrangements will readily suggest themselves to. those skilled in" this: art, and it will be readily. understood that the apparatus shown in the accompanyin and hereinbefore described is adapted for many different arrangements; and that while the various features and elements may be used in the combinations and relations hereinbefore specifically described, some of these maybe altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results obtained,- and this invention extends to such uses.

Having now described my'invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America is:

1. In a signaling mechanism; an extraneously operable member adapted for effective actuation only in one direction,.a latch arranged to engage said member to limit movements thereof in said direction to a predetermined operative cycle, ratchetmeehanism arranged to engage said member during each such cycle of its actuation to prevent reverse movement thereof, and extra-' peoillls'ly operable means for disengaging said atc 2. In asignaling mechanism; a signal ini-' tiating device having a member manually operable for causing said device to accomplish a definite cycle of action, a cover nordrawings mally obstructing and movable to: permit access to said member, a latch for rendering said device functionally unresponsive to said member, and means operable by said cover to condition said latch to permit functional responsiveness of said device to manual operation of said member.

3. In a signaling mechanism; signal initiating means, actuating means therefor including a movable member and mea ns for causing a definite cycle of operation of said initiating means upon a predetermined movement of said movable member, manually operable means for moving said member, latching means for preventing more than said predetermined movement of said movable member, means for obstructing access to said manually operable means and including a cover movable to permit such access, and means operable by movement of said cover to release said latclnng means.

4. In a. signaling mechanism;- an operating member adapted for eflective actuation'in one direction, extraneously operable means for governing the occurrence of such eliective actuation, means for preventm reverse actuation of said member, latc mg means for limiting each actuation of said. member in said first named direction to a predetermined amount, means for obstructing access to said member and including a cover movable to permit such access,-means operated by movement of said cover to mo-' mentarily render said latching means ineffective, and means including said latching. means for maintaining such ineffectiveness until after further actuation of said mem- I a for rendering said latching means ineifecber for said predetermined amount.

5. In a signalin mechanism; an operable member adapted or effective movement in one direction, means for preventing reverse movement of said member, latching means arranged for arresting the efiectivemove ment of said member at predetermined points therein, means for obstructing access to said member and including a cover movable to permit such access, means operated by movement of said cover to momentarily render said latching means ineffective, and means including said' latching means forv maintaining saidinefi'ectiveness until after. further 'eficctive movement of said member.-

6. In a signaling mechanism; a signal initiating device having a definite cycle of action and.responsive to a manually operable member thereof. means for preventing movement-of said member in one direction, means for limiting the extent of each movement in the other'direction to that of said definite cycle, a guard for protecting said manually operable member from unauthorized actuation, and means including said second named means operable incident tomanipulation ofsaid guard for rendering said said signaling mechanism.

device responsive to its manually operable member for a further such cycle.

7 A signaling mechanism having a definite cycle of action and responsive to a manually operable member thereof, a frangible panelnormally obstructing access to said member, a support for said panel comprising apart removable for the purpose of permitting replacement of said panel, normally incti'ective latching means arranged to act at the conclusion of operative cycles of said signaling mechanism to prevent repetitions ofsuch cycles, releasing means for said latching means operable by the removal or replacement of said support for rendering said latching means ineti'eetive, and means including said latching means for continuing attained inellectiveness of said latching means throughout periods of inactivity of and in the absence of fulfillment of the cycle of action of said signaling mechanism. v

8.' A signaling mechanism having a defi-' nite cycle of action and responsive to a manually operable member thereof, a frangible panel normally obstructing access to.

said member, a support for said panel comprising a part removable for the purpose of permitting replacement of said panel, fastening means for said part operable to permit unfastening "thereof and so positioned that access thereto is obstructed by said panel, normally ineffective latching means arranged toact at the conclusion of operative cycles of said signaling mechanism to prevent repetitions of such cycles, releasing means for said latching means operable by the removal or replacement of said support tive, and means including said latching means for continuing attained ineffectiveness of said latching means throughout periods of inactivity of'and in the absence of the fulfillment ofthe cycle of action of 9; In a signaling mechanism; a setting member adapted for rapid or slow operation thereof, an operating member, a storage device for imparting to said operating member actuating energy imparted to said device by said setting member, a detent normally restraining and arranged to be disengaged fromsaid operating member to permit movementthereof when said setting member has been sufliciently moved to impart enough energy to said storage device for 'causing predetermined actuation of said operating member, a pro ection moving with said setting member, a latch movable into and out of the path of said projection and also movable along the path of said projection, means for limiting the movement or said latch along the path of said projection, means or urging said latch into the path of said projection and for yieldingly resisting movement imparted to said latch along the path of and by said projection, a governor for regulating the speed ofsaid operating member, and circuit controlhng contacts responsive to the actuation of said operating member.

10. In a signaling mechanism; signaling contacts constantly urged to assume a predetermined normal relationship, means for variously altering the relationship of said contacts, and magnetically controlled mechfor effecting a second relationship of said contacts, and magnetically controlled mechanism for governing the attainment of a third relationship of said contacts.

12. In a signaling mechanism; signalingcontacts constantly urged to assume a predetermined normal relationship, quick-acting means for effecting an abnormal relationship of said contacts, andmagnetically controlled step by step mechanism for governing the restoration of said contacts from such abnormal to an intermediate and to said normal relationship.

13. In a signaling mechanism; signaling contacts, means for successively imparting differing adjustments thereto, actuating mechanism operable to cause said means to impart one of said adjustments to said contacts and to set said means for the accomplishment of other of such adjustments, and magnetically controlled step by step mechanism for releasing said actuatin nism for successively accomplishing such other adjustments.

14. In a signaling mechanism; circuit controlling contacts constantly urged to assume predetermined relationships operating mechanism for momentarily revising the relationships of said contacts, an electromagnet, and an escapement controlled by said magnet for so governing said operating mechanism as to thereby retain said contacts in such revised relationships if said ma et is deenergized at the time of said revision, and to permit said contacts to assume intermediate relationships upon the energization of said magnet and to thereafter return to their normal relationships upon the subsequent deenergization of sald magnet.

15. In a signaling mechanism; circuit controlling contacts constantly urged to assume predeterminedrelationships and suited for actuation for revision of such relationships, an operating mechanism having a definite operative cycle and arranged to momentarily cause the actuation of said con- I tacts to revise the relationships thereof durmechaing each operative cycle of said operatin mechanism, a storage device constructed and arranged for settmg thereof to deliver energy for causing such a'cycle of said operrelationships to which they may be momentarily actuated by said operating mechanism, and to succesively permit said contacts to assume intermediate relationships and to thereafter assume the relationships toward which they are urged, and an electromagnct so arranged that, upon energization and deenergization thereof, it will cause such successive operation of said-escapenient.

16. In a signaling mechanism; circuit controlling contacts constantly-urged to assume predetermined relationships and suited for actuation for revision of such relationships, an operating mechanism having a definite operative cycle and arranged to cause actuation of said contacts to revise the relationships. thereof during each such operative cycle, a governor arranged to so regulate the speed of said operating mechanism that said contacts will be thereby maintained in actuated relationship for'a substantially uniform predetermined period durin each operative cycle of said operating mec anism, a storage device constructed and arranged for setting thereof to deliver energy for causing such a cycle of said operating mechanism, a setting member arranged for actuation thereof to so set said device, a detent normally restraining and arranged to be disengaged from said operating mechanism upon such actuation of said setting member, an escapement operable. to so govern said operating mechanism as to thereby retain said contacts in the revised relationship to which they may be actuated by said operating'mechanism, and to successively permit said contacts to assume intermediate relationships and to thereafter assume the relationships toward which they are urged, and an electromagnet so arranged that, upon energization and deenergization thereof, said magnet will cause such successive operation of said escapement.

17. In a signaling mechanism; circuit controlling contacts constantly urged to assume predetermined relationships and suited for actuation for revision of such relationships, an operating mechanism having a definite cycle and arranged to momentarily cause the actuation of said contacts to-revise the relationships thereof during each such operative cycle, a storage device constructed and arranged for setting thereof to deliver energy for Ca s ng such a cycle of said operating a mechanism, a setting member arrangedfor actuation thereof to so set said device, a pro jection moving with said setting member, a latch for cooperation with said projection for limiting operation of said operating mechanism to the aforesaid cycle, said latch movable into and out of the path of said projection and also movable along the path of said projection, means for urging said latch into the path of said projection and for yieldingly resisting movement imparted to said latch along the path of said projection, an es:apement operable to so govern said operating mechanism as to thereby retain said contacts in the revised relationships to which they may be momentarily actuated by said operating mechanism, and to successively permit said contacts to assume intermediate relationships and to thereafter assume the relationships toward which they are urged, and an electromagnet so arranged that, upon energization and deenergization thereof, said magnet will cause such successive operation of said escapement.

18. In a signaling mechanism; asetting member,'an operatingmechanism, a storage device for imparting to said mechanism actuating energy imparted to said device by said setting member, a detent normally restraining and arranged to be disengaged fromsaid operating mechanism .to permit predetermined movement thereof when said setting member has been sufiiciently moved to impart enough energy to said storage device for causing such predetermined actuation of said operating mechanism, means for preventing reversal of such movement of said setting member which has caused disengagement of said detent, a projection moving with said setting member, a latch movable into and out of the path of saidprojection and also movable along the path of said projection, means for limiting the movement of said latch along the path of said projection, means for urging said latch into the path of said projection and the yieldingly resisting movement imparted to said latch along the path of and by said projection, circuit controlling contacts constantly urged to assume predetermined relationships and arranged for response to and during the actuation of said operating mechanism to momentarily revise the relationships of said contacts, an electromagnet, and an escapement controlled by .said magnet for so governing said operating mechanism as to thereby retain said contacts in such revised relationships if said magnet is deenergized at the time of such revision, and to permit said contacts to assume intermediate relationships upon the energization of said magnet and to thereafter return to their normal relationships upon the subsequent deenergization of said magnet.

l I a g a i g mechanism; a setting member adapted for rapid or slow operation thereof, an operating mechanism, a storage device for imparting to said operating mechmally restraining and arranged to be disengaged from said operating mechanism to permit predetermined movement thereof when said setting member has been sufiicientlyfmoved, to impart enough energy to said'storage device for causing such predetermined actuation of said operating mechanism, means. for preventing reversal 'of such movement of said setting member of and by said projection, a governor for regulating the speed of said operating mechanism, circuit controlling contacts constantly urged to assume predetermined relation ships and arranged for response to and during the actuation of said operating mechanism to momentarily revise the relationships of said contacts, an electromagnet, and an escapement controlled by said magnet for so governing said 0 erating mechanism as to thereby retain said contacts in such revised relationships if said magnet is deenergized at the time of such revision, and to permit said contacts to assume intermediate rela' tionships upon the energization of saidmagnet and to thereafter return to their normal relationships .upon the subsequent deenergization of said magnet.

20. In a signaling mechanism; a setting member adapted for rapid or slow operation thereof, an operating; mechanism, a storage device for imparting to said operating mechanism actuating energy imparted to to said device by said setting member, a detent normally restraining and arranged to be disengaged from said operating mechanism to permit predetermined movement thereof when said setting member has been sufliciently moved to'impart enough energy to said storage device for causing such predetermined actuation of said operating mechanism, means for preventing reversal of such movement of said setting member which has caused disengagement of said detent, a projection moving with said setting out of the path of said projection and also movable along'the path of said projection, means for limiting the movement of said latch along the path of said projection, means for urging said latch into the path of member, a latch movable into and anism actuating energy imparted to said device by said setting member, a detent. nor- 7 .tionships and arranged said projection and for'yieldingly resisting movement imparted to said latch along the ath of and by said projection, a governor or regulating the speed of said operating mechanism,.circuit controlling contacts constantly urged to assume redetermined rela or response to and during the actuation of said operating mechanism to momentarily revise the relationships of'said contacts, ,an electromagnet one end of the windingof which is connected to one of said contacts, and an escapement controlled by said magnet for so governing said operating mechanism as to thereby reta n said contacts in such revised relationships if said magnet is deenergized at the time of such revision, and to permit said contacts to assume intermediate relationships upon the energization of said magnet and to thereafter return to their normal relationships and upon the subsequent deenergization of said magnet.

21. In a signaling mechanism; settmg member adapted for rapid or slow operation thereof, an operating member, a storage device for imparting to said operating member actuating energy imparted to said devlce by said setting member, a detent normally restraining and arranged to be disengaged from said operating member to permit movement thereof when said setting member has been sufficiently moved to impart enough energy to said storage device for caus ng predetermined actuation of said operating member, means for preventing reversal of such movement of said setting member which has caused disengagement of said detent, a projection moving with said setting member, a latch movable into and out of the path of said projection and also movable along the path of said pro'ection, means for limiting the movement 0 said latch along the path of said projection, means for urging said latch into the path ofsaid projection and for yieldingly resisting movement imparted to said latch' along the path of and by said projection, a governor for regulating the speed of said operating member, circuit controlling contacts, actuating means for said contacts constantly urged for movement in one direction to'the normal position thereof and responsive to said operating member for movement in the other direction to a predetermined abnormal position and release thereof during the operation of said operating member, an electromagnet one end of the winding of which is connected to one of said contacts, and an escapeinent controlled by said magnet for retaining said actuating means in the position to which it is. moved during such response of said operating member, said escapement being arranged to permit said actuating means to move to an m termediate position a on the energization of said. magnet and to ereafter return to its access thereto is obstructed by said panel;

an operating member; a storage device for imparting to said operating member actuating energy imparted to said device by said setting member, a detent normally restraining and arranged to be disengaged from said operating member to permit movement thereof when said setting member has been sufiiciently moved to impart enough energy to said storage device for causing predetermined actuation of said operating member, means for preventing the reversal of such movement of said manually operable member which has caused disengagement of said detent; a projection moving with said manually operable member; a latch movable into and out of the path of said projection and also movable along the path of said projection; means for limiting the movement of said latch along the path of said projection; means for urging said latch into the path of said projection and for yieldingly resisting movement imparted to said latch along the path of and by said projection; a governor for re ulating the speed of said operating mem er; circuit controlling contacts; actuatin means for said contacts constantly urged or movement in one direction to the normal position thereof and responsive to said operating member for movement in the other direction to a predetermined abnormal position and release thereof during the operation of said operating member; an electromagnet oneend of the winding of which is conneoted to one of said contacts; an escapement controlled by said magnet for retalning said actuating means in such abnormal position, said escapement being arranged to permit said actuating means to move to an intermediate position upon the energization of said magnet and to thereafter return to its normal position. upon the subsequent ,deenergization of said magnet; and means said means to reverse the conditions of said paths and a step by step escapement operable by said magnet and arranged to so govern said quick-acting mechamsm as to maintain said means in such actuated position during deenergization of said magnet, to permit action of said means to restore one of said paths upon energization of said magnet and to thereafter permit action of said means to restore the other of said paths upon subsequent deenergization of said magnet.

24. In a signaling mechanism; a main line current path, a branch current path, an electromagnet included in said branch path, circuit controlling means for said paths normally biased to close said main path and to break said branch path, quick-acting'mechanism operable to'momentaril actuate said means tobreak said main pat and to close said branch ath, and a step by step escapement operab e by said magnet and arranged to so govern said quick-acting mechanlsm as to maintain said means in such actuated position during deenergization of said magnet, and to permit action of said means to break said branch path upon energization of said magnet, and to thereafter permit action of said means to close said main path upon the resulting deenergization of said magnet. p

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, this 22nd day of November, 1920.

NATHAN H. SUREN. 

